Report: Hearing in George Santos fraud trial scheduled at last minute, hints at possible deal

Report: Hearing in George Santos fraud trial scheduled at last minute, hints at possible deal

According to a report, lying former congressman George Santos is set to plead guilty in federal court on Monday to pocketing campaign funds.

Victims of the former Republican congressman from New York told Talking Points Memo on Friday that federal prosecutors had alerted them to a possible agreement in which Santos would admit to making unauthorized charges to his campaign’s credit card for his own personal use.

“They told me he would plead guilty on Monday,” one of the donors told TPM.


George Santos, expelled from the US House of Representatives, arrives for his corruption trial in court in Long Island
Federal prosecutors told former donors that George Santos would plead guilty in federal court as part of a deal. REUTERS

“He should be held fully accountable, and he is, as far as I can tell, quite guilty. I know for a fact that he lied to my face.”

The filing shows that an in-person hearing was scheduled for Monday afternoon in Central Islip at the government’s request after both parties asked to postpone an upcoming pretrial hearing.

The change could be a sign that such an agreement is being planned.

The Post has asked the Justice Department and Santos’ defense team for comment.


Police car in front of the Alfonse M. D'Amato U.S. Courthouse in Central Islip, New York, with George Santos as court order
According to the filing, the hearing was scheduled for Monday afternoon in Central Islip. REUTERS

Santos did not respond to messages asking about the possible agreement.

The trial is scheduled to begin in September. Prosecutors told a judge they expect to call at least three dozen witnesses, including some victims of Santos’ alleged crimes.

Santos pleaded not guilty earlier this week to a number of financial crimes, including lying to Congress about his wealth, collecting unemployment benefits while actually working, and using campaign donations to pay for personal expenses such as designer clothing.

His lawyers had argued in recent court filings that the written form was necessary “in light of the knowledge, beliefs and prejudices of potential jurors” due to the extensive negative media coverage of Santos.

Santos was expelled from Congress in December after an ethics investigation found “overwhelming evidence” that he had broken the law and exploited his public position for his own benefit.

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